Dodgers vs. Cubs: Position by Position Matchup Breakdown

Javier Baez vs. Logan Forsythe/Chase Utley

Javier Baez (4 starts): .000/.067/.000 (0-14), 1 Run Scored

Logan Forsythe (2 starts): .444/.500/.444 (4-9), 1 RBI

Chase Utley (1 start): .000/.500/.00 (0-2), 2 Walks

This may very well be the platoon position for both teams. Baez has started 3 of the 4 games for the Cubs, while Forsythe and Utley split the time for the Dodgers.

Baez is a very polarizing player with his flashy style of play. At 6-0, 190lbs you don’t expect a lot of pop from his bat, but that’s not the case. Baez is an all or nothing hitter, and that leads to a lot of home runs and strikeouts. Baez earns his starts at second base with his glove. I’m sure we all remember Joe Buck drooling over his tagging skills and diving plays. Baez showed last year that he could be a thorn in the Dodgers side. He’s off to a very slow start this postseason.

Logan Forsythe was the biggest offensive surprise for the Dodgers in the NLDS. In his first career games in the postseason, he delivered big hit after big hit. Although his run-producing metrics may not show that, he was a big reason why the Dodgers were able to produce runs against the Dbacks. It’s encouraging to see Forsythe get off to a nice start in October after a forgettable regular season.

Does Chase Utley style of play ever get old? Uley is almost at 200 career at-bats in the postseason, and he rarely gets cheated. Although Utley doesn’t have a base hit to show for his plate appearances, his at-bats set the tone for the rest of the team. I think he’s one of the most critical players on this roster.

Verdict:

The Dodgers’ second basemen may not be as flashy or as young as Baez, but that doesn’t always get the job done in the postseason. Baez is an exciting young player, but the Dodgers win this position with their crafty veterans. If Forsythe can continue to produce as he produced in the NLDS this lineup, they will have virtually no holes. Utley is as good of a bench player you can have off the bench in the postseason. His experience and mental aspect of the game keeps this young core focused on the end goal.